Editorial
Winning the Olney Pancake race and beating Liberal this year has been achieved by Lianne Fisher, and all done in a record time. Congratulations to Lianne and also everybody that ran and was involved in the race. You all did a spectacular job and didn’t the weather surprise us.
Olney may have won the pancake race but the town council is losing its long serving clerk, Sandra Grummit, this month who, after 20 years service to the town, is retiring from her post. A wonderful spell in ‘of ce’ and congratulations are well in order. I believe the rumours about her writing a book about her time at the council are just speculation!
Milton Keynes council has issued it’s strategic development consultation document, Plan MK, showing us four options. We have the details on page 16. You have until April 6th to respond with your thoughts or objections. After that date it will be too late to be heard – so do something now.
MK council has been busy last month. The budget setting meeting on the 17th is reported on inside and, after public objections, some proposed cuts to services have been saved. Well done to those involved who campaigned against the cuts. Also, it came as a shock to many that Sainsburys plans for an ‘out of town’ store in Olney was rejected. I don’t think we’ve heard the last of it. We’ll also have to wait to see what happens to JD Wetherspoons plans for Robinsons in Newport Pagnell, I believe their council have given it the thumbs down.
Yes, there is lots of local stuff going on at council level in the local area, including Neighbourhood Plans, Applications for apartments, illegal housing concerns, Local minerals plans, skate parks, and house building.
And on a more National level we have the run up to the EU Referendum. It seems to be the Government’s job at the moment to ll our heads with lots of negative thoughts before the EU vote!
So, keep an eye on what’s going on and make sure you vote, but do not let it get in the way of enjoying yourself. Easter is always a good marker for the arrival of spring and we have plenty on offer in the magazine. Winter is over; it’s time to look forward to a winning streak in the year ahead. Ron Hall, Editor
22,500 copies printed & delivered door to door
10 Readers’Letters
A look at what you’ve been saying...
14 The Buzz
All the entertainment you’ll ever need.
16 Plan MK
A chance to air your views.
30 Mercury Report
All the latest from Olney Town Council.
36 Planning Your Wedding
We’ve got all the details about planning your big day.
40 Honeymoons
Here are some ideas you might not have thought of.
47 Pancake Day
A full report of race day.
58 Easter Rising
Mike Totton writes for us again about the Easter Rising in Dublin.
60 Competition
Win tickets to see Fish in Aylesbury.
70 Olney Skate and BMX Park Your chance to get on board.
74 Kids’Corner
Puzzles, games and competitions.
76 Mother’s Day Crafts
Get creative and make something unique for mum.
80 Schools
We’ve got a round up from the area.
89 Everyone Needs a Hobby
Ian Jones shares his love for Martial Arts.
For our readers in Astwood, Blakelands, Bra eld on the Green, Bozeat, Carlton, Castlethorpe, Chicheley, Clifton Reynes, Cold Bray eld, Denton, Emberton, Filgrave, Gayhurst, Giffard Park, Great Linford Village, Grendon, Hanslope, Harrold, Haversham Village, Lathbury, Lavendon, Lavendon Grange, Moulsoe, Newport Pagnell, Newton Blossomville, North Crawley, Olney, Petsoe End, Ravenstone, Red House Park, Sharnbrook, Stagsden, Sherington, Stevington, Stoke Goldington, Turvey, Turvey Station, Tyringham, Lathbury, Weston Underwood, Wollaston, Yardley Hastings
Brafield-on- the-Green
Denton
Ravenstone
Grendon Castle Ashby
Yardley Hastings
Warrington
Olney
Wollaston
Bozeat
Sharnbrook
Tyringham Gayhurst
Sherington
Chicheley
Harrold
Carlton
Cold Brayfield
Turvey Blossomville
Clifton Reynes
Emberton Filgrave
Newton
Stevington
Astwood
Stagsden
Lavendon
Stoke Goldington
Hanslope
Weston Underwood
Redhouse Park Castlethorpe
Giffard Park Blakelands
Lathbury Newport Pagnell
North Crawley
Haversham
Great Linford Village
Moulsoe
To advertise telephone (01234) 713298 or email sales@phoneboxmagazine.com
Email articles and news to editor@phoneboxmagazine.com www.phoneboxmagazine.com
Twitter: @Phonebox_mag Facebook.com/Phoneboxmag
Submission Deadline for April edition - 15th March
Phonebox Magazine is owned and published by Phonebox Magazine Ltd, Unit 2 Stanley Court, Olney, Bucks MK46 5NH
Advertisers: We gratefully acknowledge the support of firms whose advertisements appear in this publication and, whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers regret they cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Any reproduction of material, either advertising or editorial, is forbidden without written consent of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for views expressed by contributors, or for the accuracy of claims made by advertisements appearing in this publication. Distribution may vary at the discretion of Phonebox Magazine Ltd.
March 2016 | Phonebox Magazine 5